Seal press seal support



May 24, 1960 Filed Feb. 24, 1955 c. PRIESMEYER 2,937,590

SEAL PRESS SEAL SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Shea?l 1 NVENTOR. af/s' Pneme er May 24, 1960 Filed Feb. 24, 1955 c. PRlEsMEYl-:R 2,937,590

SEAL PREss SEAL SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VEN TUR. jar/es' Dn 'e5/2z e ef UnitedStates Patent SEAL PRESS SEAL SUPPORT Charles Priesmeyer, Park Ridge, Ill., assignor to Meyer & Wenthe, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. V24, 1955, Ser. No. 490,336

7 Claims. (Cl. 101-3) This invention relates to seal presses and more par ticularly to a die support for table model seal presses of the type prevalently used by corporations, government offices and notaries public. Y

A great deal of diflculty has been experienced in manufacturing seal presses in obtaining proper alignment between the upper and lower embossing dies. It has been necessary to provide means to secure the dies permanently in theirsupports, which means have generally required several precision manufacturing steps, and include they orientation of the top of the lettering in the dies in a desired embossing position with respect 'to the seal press as afwhole and the upper each other. I

Accordingly, mounting of the embossing dies in the seal press has normally been done in the manufacturing' plant with precision instruments. If there are any variaand lower dies with respect to` tions or alterations or damage to either die or to`their relative positions, 'correction cannot be made thereafter by an individual operator in the lield and if replacement is required the seal press must be returned to the factory for repair.

Also, when the die becomes worn or requires cleaning, it cannot be readily removed without damage to its mount. ing. Consequently the seal is often out of commission for long periods of time, or mustbe factory replaced.

Even where the die supports constitute a unit removable from the frame, the methods ofattachment of the unit in the frame leave the lower die unsupported or unbacked over critical areas of its working face.

Also, it is diicult in production to get a proper positioning of the upper die, so that it will be in perfect alignment with the lower die, where a permanent installation method is used,

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a die support adapted to removably secure Ytherein a die piece so that the die may be readily removed without damage to any parts, inspected, cleaned and realigned perfectly at will, without the exercise of technical skill, the dies adjusting themselves properly under repeated use in operation. i

Another object is to provide a die support unit which can be mass produced without the necessity of close preset accuracy in the fitting of the die to the die support, said die support unit supporting the back of the die over its entire back surface, and adjusting itself automatically in proper position in its frame during initial use.

Another object is to provide a die support and assembly in which the setting of one die member is made from the other and thereafter the other can be easily removed and realigned any time with common tools without involving precision factory equipment that'is used in conventionally made seal presses.

Another object is the provision of a method of manualdie support which can bepressed. down overy the upper Y 2,937,590 Patented May 24, 1960 die manually when that die is positioned on Ythe lowerj die -to secure the upper die therein without necessity' of',

further manipulation. Y

Another object is to provide a die support which will afford sensitive adjustment between the dies so that slight differences in alignment relatively therebetween may be corrected initially under working conditions.

'Y The invention is further characterized by a `die support assembly which is readily removable andreplace able manually and which locates itself 'automatically in the press frame with initial use when returned to theI frame.

Yet another object is to provide a die support for af seal press which is simple and economical to manufac ture and may be used and serviced by those not skilled mechanically, other features of the seal press being de scribed in applicants Patent No. 2,706,448, reference to which is hereby made.

' Referring now to the drawings: Y

Fig. l is a perspective view ofa table showing a preferred embodiment 'of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View partly in vertical sec-- tion of the device seen in Fig. l illustrating the position ofr the press is in its openV method of removing the die from the Ysupport element;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view partly in vertical section of the device seen in Fig. 1 disclosing the positionof the dies immediately priory to the positioning of the upperdie in the upper die support element; ,n

Fig. 5 is a side elevational View disclosing the seal' elements after the top die has been inserted in the top die support element; f

Fig. 6k is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken. along the line 6 6 of Fig. 1 of the die, the diejsupport and theV die retainer means embodying the invention;4

Fig. 7'is a fragmentary perspective view of the lbottom` of the lower die support; and Y Y Fig. 8 is an exploded enlarged View of the interlocking elements shown in section in Fig. 2'.-

Referring now to the drawings, an` embodiment of a seal press Vadapted for use with the die support means of the present invention is shown, of the variety described in the `aforementioned Patent No. 2,706,448. ThepressV thus may comprise two substantially identical side frameV members 10 held `together in parallel spaced relationship by spacer rivets, one 11 at the back, another-12 at the front end, and another 13 at the upper front end, the last of which serves also as a pivot pin for the handle shown` generally at 14. Other rivets can be provided at suit- 1 able points if the seal press is made larger. *l

The bottom edges 15 of the side frames may'bestraighlt;k

and coplanar with outwardly turned ,ears 15aV covered with rubber tube sections 15e to rest on topof table (not shown). The upper edges Y16 ofthe side frames are arched upwardly and forwardly for strength and decorative purposes. The side frames are notched out Aat their front end to provide a throat 17, whose lower vedge is'provided with an outwardly facing shoulder 18, in front ofwhich the remainder lof theY throat edge is straight as at 20, and preferably parallel with the bottom edge 15 of the side frame except near the center thereofwhere'a tooth or catch 43 is provided with an incline edge 43a terminating at the rear in a shoulder 43e. It is upon the straight edge portion 20 of the throat that the bottom face of the lower die holder 21 rests as positioned in front of the shoulder 18 by the catch 43 engaging in mating debossments 43e upon the bottom face of `the lower die holder 21 whenV located in its, operativeposi-` tion as further described later. e

top seal press Notching of the side frame provides an overhanging arm 22 having a slot 23 formed therein of a shape and contour best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, same being elongated in a horizontal direction with the lower edge 24 thereof inclined downwardly over the rearward portion so that a loose roller 26 disposed in the slot will normally roll to the rear end of the slot 23 when free to do so. Otherwise side frames are perforated at suitable points to receive the spacer rivets 11, 12 and 13 in the places shown.

Referring now to the handle 14, this element is preferably struck from a sheet of heavy metal'to provide a construction seen in the several views in which a pad 27 is provided at the free end thereof for the comfort of a persons hand, and the remaining portion is stamped to a U-shaped form with holes in the side as at 28 which journal on the rivet 13. A notch 30 is provided to cooperate with the roller 26 when the notch 30 coincides with the portion 25 of the slot 24 as when the handle 14 is moved to its fully depressed position.

The sides 29 of the handle are riveted together by a rivet 31 which carries thereon a roller 32. The handle as thus formed with the roller in place is mounted between the upper arms 22 of the side frames at the time that the rivet 13 is inserted to hold the side frame members together. Then, as the handle 14 is depressed, the roller follows a path indicated by the arc 3S, Fig. 3, and rolls along the supporting member for the upper die as subsequently described. The front edge and the side walls 29 of the handle 14 are coplanar as at 36, and as best shown in Fig. 2 the roller 32 extends below the coplanar edges 36.

The unitary die assembly 40 is best illustrated in Figs.

2 and 5 and includes a lower die support 21 stampedY from heavy flat stock and having a circular end portion 43d to receive the bottom die 44 thereon and an inner end portion 21c with parallel sides received in guided relationship between the side frame members 10 and terminating in a downwardly bent end portion 41 perforated as at 42.

The bottom face of the lower die support 21 where it coincides with the catch 43 has debossed therein correspondingly shaped recesses with inclined bottoms 431 terminating in a stop wall 43g. Thus whenever the lower die support is slid into place as guided by the inner end portion between the side frame members, the recesses drop over the catches 43. Over-insertion of the lower die support is not significant because the incline 18 will prevent disengagement of the inclined surfaces 43a and 43)c and the first time the seal is operated the inclined surfaces will locate the lower die support with the shoulder 43C against the stop wall 43g. The recesses 43e do not extend through to the top side of the lower die support and consequently the lower die is physically supported over its entire area for all seal pressures.

Riveted to the rear end of the lower die holder, as by rivets 4S, is a substantially fiat spring blade 46 whose front end is extended as at 47 to mate with the contour of the handle `14.

Referring now to Fig. l, the upper die holder 48 of the present invention is disclosed as being riveted to the spring blade 46 by rivets 50a which lie ilush with the inner fiat surface of the die holder. The die holder is cup-shaped and is preferably formed of spring metal substantially .030 of an inch in thickness and having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the die to be received therein so that when the die is inserted by the method which will be hereinafter described, a firm gripping relationship between spring cutout elements on the holder 48 and the die 56 will be accomplished and the die will be maintained against inadvertent rotation at all times.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the annular spring flange 51 of the die holder is provided with cut-out portions 52, 54 and 56 leaving two Spring fingers 58 which are shaped and sprung inwardly slightly as shown in Fig. 6 so that they may be moved outwardly slightly upon insertion of the die to establish a gripping relationship with the die. Preferably the die should have some freedom to rotate slightly under strains developed during operation. More particularly, the spring elements 58 are formed integrally with the cup holder as cut from the sides and bottom as defined by cuts 54 and 56, the portions formed from the bottom of the holder being offset slightly whereby the spring elements 58 `press the die against the bottom of the holder. The elements 58 also serve another function which is to indicate to the user that the cup is a spring retainer so that improper use will not be made of the elements and the user will have an immediate understanding of the operation of the device. Furthermore, the clearances made available by the spring lingers between the die and the walls of the cup makes it possible to turn the upper die over and emboss new lettering thereon without the expansion of the die blank caused by embossing causing a rigid binding in the support cup.

The method of mounting the dies upon their respective supports may be explained in connection with Figs. 2, 4 and 5. Once the dies are made, they are placed in mated relation with the top of the lettering in the dies oriented with respect to the desired position in the cup and the upper die is linger pressed down into the cup. A wafer 44a having a presure and heat sensitive adhesive is placed between the lower die and its supporting element and preliminary pressure is applied to them and released. The lower die will adhere to the lower die support and the dies will separate. A piece of paper Vis inserted between the dies, the unit placed in a seal press frame and the dies again closed and locked under pressure. Heat is applied to the lower die preferably by iiame and allowed to cool. The dies are opened, the paper removed and the seal press is ready for use.

Thereafter, when the upper die is removed for any reason, such as cleaning or inspection, and is to be returned, it is placed on the lower die and lightly turned by hand until the sense of touch indicates that the two elements have dropped into mating registration. This is the position seen in Fig. 4. Thereupon the holder element 48 is moved downwardly by means of the handle until it is pressed around the upper die in gripping relation as seen in Fig. 5.

Thereafter, when the first piece of paper is placed between the dies and an impression made, the paper takes up all tolerances between the dies and rotates the upper die if it is slightly out of perfect mating relationship. Upon release the paper is removed and the dies are in perfect adjustment for use, the upper die being maintained with a predetermined constant spring pressure tightly in place for perfect registration with the lower die both axially and rotatively, even after repeated removals. The upper -die can be removed upon occasion as often as desired and returned to perfect registration by simple repetition of the use of paper as described. The repeated use of the seal press the first few times with paper between the dies will cause the upper die to slightly adjust itself rotatively for perfect registration to prevent possible cutting of the paper at uneven contact points. This works equally well with the dies as they wear.

For purposes of removal of the' upper die, the cutout portion 52 is preferably formed with a width sufficient to permit insertion of a worn screwdriver blade or the like, as seen in Fig. 3. Since the cut extends the full height of the ange, the screw driver can be moved beneath the back of the die without scratching or marring the die face. .Thereafter the application of a small amount of leverage will suffice to force the die out of the cup. After the upper die has been cleaned and manually realigned on the lower die, it can again be pressed into the cup within the spring cup 48 by depressing the handle as already` described.

5 'I'Itfis'prefe'r'red for cleaning the dies that thedie' assembly unit be removed from the press frame before removing. theupper die and since the spring 46 is free to open the dies wider, better inspection of the lower die is afforded. Return of the unit to the frame is easily accomplished as already explained and the unit drops into perfectworking position upon the lirst use of the press.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to certain principles and features, it is to be ,understood that the principles are susceptible toconsiderable modification and variation. Accordingly, it is not intended to be limited by the illustrated examples in the accompanying drawings nor by the language chosen in the foregoing description except as indicated in the hereunto appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a seal press having upper and lower die support members and circular upper and lower die members, a spring element carried by one of the support members and having an arcuate ange with a portion thereof offset inwardly to engage tightly the edge of one of the die members whereby said one die member may be self adjusting to said other die member upon enagement therewith and whereby said one die member may be removably maintained normally against inadvertent angular rotation and vertical displacement, one of said support members having spaced recesses in the bottom face thereof with the bottom of the recesses inclined to said bottom face for engaging said lower die support member, thereby stationing it within said seal press in operating position.

2. In a seal press having two spaced side members delining a frame slotted at the front end to provide opposing supporting edges, a tooth extending above said edge having a rearwardly facing shoulder at its rearmost end, and a die assembly unit comprising a lower die supporting element elongated at its rearmost end to engage between the side members in guided relationship and enlarged at its front end to receive a die member thereon, said enlarged front end having a recess in its bottom face receivingsaid tooth, a second die member, an upper die supporting cup member for lreceiving said second die member, having portions of said cup member cut away to the depth of said wall to provide integral arcuate spring fingers whose resting positions at their free ends are slightly inwardly of the wall contour for gripping the edges of said second die member frictionally to permit self adjustment upon engagement of said die member with said second die member and spring means interconnecting said die supporting members Iin cooperating relationship and urging their separation.

3. In a seal press having upper and lower support members, a cup member for receiving a removable die element, said cup member having a bottom portion against which said die element rests and a wall portion within which said die element vis received, said cup member being offset below the bottom at the junction of the wall therewith and said wall being cut away to a depth extending 4through said offset over a portion of its circumference, resilient arcuate fingers integral with said cup member disposed on opposite sides of said cutaway portion and having inwardly offset portions for gripping the edges of said die element so as to retain said die element within said cup member frictionally and confine its movement to slight rotational movements about its normal axis as required for perfecting aligment with the opposite die element when entering engagement therewith, said movements being accomplished against the frictional grip of said offset portions, and means for fastening said bottom portion in abutting relation to one of said support members with said cutaway portion located over said support member.

4. In combination with a seal press having upper and lower die support members and upper and lower die elemen a die receiving cup member having a ilat bottom portion against which one of the die elements rests, said cupmember having a flange element and one or more semi-circular spaced depending resilient flange fingers integral with the bottom portion and severed from the ange element and olf-set inwardly to engage the edge of said one of said die members frictionally at circumferentially spaced points, said lingers permittingrotational adjustment of said one die element to its opposite die element upon engagement therewith, and said fingers maintaining said adjustment during subsequent operation of seal press, said bottom portion being fastened in abutting "relation to said upper die support element.

5.' In combination with a seal press, having upper and lower die support members and upper and lower die elements, a die receiving cup member having a at bottom portion -against which one of the die elements rests, and one or more semi-circular depending resilient flange fingers integral with the bottom portion and severed from the wall portion of the cup member and olf-set inwardly to engage the edge of said one of said die members frictionally, said fingers are located at the rear of said cup member and have a space between them extending the full depth of the cup wall to tightly group said one die element and to facilitate removal and replacement of said one die element, said fingers permitting rotational adjustment of said one die element to its opposite die element upon engagement therewith, and said fingers maintaining said adjustment during subsequent operation of seal press, said bottom portion being fastened in abutting relation to said upper die support element.

6. In combination with a seal press having upper and lower die support members and upper and lower die elements, a frame with -a tooth thereon and in which one of the die support members has a recess upon its outer face whose bottom is inclined from the outer face and deepens towards the rear of said support member to engage said tooth in locating position, and thereby stationing said die support members within said seal press in a manner wherein no play can occur, said recess being generally vin the central portion of said outer face thereby insuring an even pressure on said die during closure, and said tooth being tapered to fit said recess, having its forward portion cut away to allow clearance thereby facilitating removal and replacement of said die support members, a die receiving cup member having ya flat bottom portion against which one of the die elements rests, and one or more semi-circular depending resilient ilange fingers integral with the bottom portion and severed from the wall portion of the cup member and olf-set inwardly to engage the edge of said one of said die members frictional'ly, said fingers permitting rotational adjustment of said one die element to its opposite die element upon engagement therewith, and said fingers maintaining said adjustment during subsequent operation of seal press,`said bottom portion being fastened in abutting relation to said upper die support element.

7. In combination with a seal press having upper and lower die support members and upper and lower die members positioned opposite one another, one of said die support members comprising a cup shaped member having a bottom wall facing the back of one of the die members and a ange engaging the edge of said one die member at peripherally spaced points and including an integral resilient liange element, said flange element being free at one end and having secured to it along one side a portion of said bottom wall severed in part from the bottom wall and having a portion off-set inwardly at the free end movable outwardly und-er stress to engage tightly the edge of said one of the die members and adapted to grippingly engage the one die member when it is placed in substantial mating relationship on the other die member and pressure is applied thereto by the closing of the seal press, whereby said one die member is frictionally gripped and removably maintained normally against inadvertent angular rotation and vertical displacement, said ange element permitting rotationa1 adjustment of said one die member to its opposite die member upon engagement therewith, and said ange element maintaining said adjustment during subsequent operations of seal press.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hamne'tt 1 Mar. 16, Schmutz .Tune 16, Adams Nov. 10, Jackson June 7, Shea Nov. 26, Papp June 9, Priesmeyer May 18, Uhl Oct. 17, Eyman Jan. 23, Priesmeyer June 4, 

